L’ALTRA is the stormy collaboration of singer-guitarist JOSEPH DESLER COSTA… Read Full Bio ↴L’ALTRA is the stormy collaboration of singer-guitarist JOSEPH DESLER COSTA and singer-keyboardist LINDSAY ANDERSON.

Coming out of their respective corners, the duo have composed and recorded their fourth studio album, TELEPATHIC. The songs, initially crafted apart by the two artists in separate locations, come together as a swirling and beautifully unified whole. The new album boasts the traditional L'Altra arrangements of piano, Wurlitzer and guitar coupled with subtle electronics, steady rhythms and the intimate call-and-response musings of Lindsay and Joe. While the sounds and pieces are familiar, it's in the details that the L'Altra story continues to unfold.

TELEPATHIC finds the band working with a familiar cast of collaborators and friends including Josh Eustis (Telefon Tel Aviv), Charles Rumback (Colorlist, Via Tania), Josh Abrams (Iron & Wine), Elisa Graci (Costa Music), Marc Hellner (Pulseprogramming), and Darren Garvey (Cameron McGill, Andreas Kapsalis).

L'Altra was formed in 1999 in Chicago with original members Lindsay Anderson, Joseph Desler Costa, Ken Dyber, and Eben English. Marc Hellner was also a regular contributor. The band released one EP and two records with Aesthetics Records before English and Dyber left the band. The band continued to tour with members Kevin Duneman and W. W. Lowman taking the place of the departed rhythm section. In 2005 L'Altra moved to Hefty Records and teamed up with Telefon Tel Aviv's Joshua Eustis who produced and recorded the band's album Different Days. In 2007 Lindsay Anderson released a solo album called If (Minty Fresh) while Joseph Costa aka Costa Music released his first solo effort Lighter Subjects in 2008. The release of their new album, Telepathic, is expected in 2010.

Official website: http://www.laltramusic.com
Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/laltra

Certainty
L'Altra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Say it backwards like we often do
Of course I copy dye my hair for you
Don't stay in the chair too long
Don't say in the car too long
It really do something to me
It really do do something to me
Don't stay in the shower to long
Don't stay in the bar too long

No discoveries
Only lovers
I might impact
Differently
Daily wishes
Work for wages
In another place
Public rules

In a certain point certain way it's certainty
In decline in decline

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to L'Altra's song "Certainty" speak of the struggles and choices one has to make in a relationship. "Say it backwards like we often do" portrays the difficulty in communication between the two partners, and how they often misunderstand each other. "Of course, I copy dye my hair for you" could be seen as a gesture of love or a sacrifice made by one partner for the other. "Don't stay in the chair too long, don't stay in the car too long" could be interpreted as words of caution from one lover to the other, afraid that they might get stuck in a place they don't want to be.

The lyrics also reveal the emotional impact that being in a relationship has on the singer. "It really do something to me, it really do do something to me" highlights the effect that love has on their psyche, and how it has changed their worldview. However, the singer is also realistic about the limitations of their relationship. "No discoveries, only lovers" reflects the idea that, while they may love each other, they may not be able to grow or discover more about themselves because they are stuck in the relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Say it backwards like we often do
Communicate in a reverse manner as we frequently do

Of course I copy dye my hair for you
Naturally, I change my hair color to impress you

Don't stay in the chair too long
Don't remain seated for an extended period

Don't say in the car too long
Don't spend an extended amount of time in the car

It really do something to me
It has a significant impact on me

It really do do something to me
It has a significant impact on me, version two

Don't stay in the shower to long
Do not spend an excessive amount of time bathing

Don't stay in the bar too long
Avoid spending too much time in a bar

No discoveries
Nothing new has been found

Only lovers
Just those who are in love

I might impact
I could make an impression